Who: Theo and Laertes When: afternoon, 1/8 Where: Theo’s office What: Meeting his TA Rating/Warnings: none really Status: Closed/Complete
Theo had finally finished unpacking his new office, carefully arranging the old books and scrolls he had brought with him. Sure, it seemed like a bit much but he himself was in the middle of a few translations and he did not want to lose his places while he was here at work. He was sure that he would have time for studying on his own, and he imagined that even if that time was limited, there would be meals that he could skip in order to finish up working on the rather painstaking Babylonian text that had engrossed him for the past weeks.
He looked up when he heard his door, confused for a moment. Was he expecting someone? He didn’t think so, but one never knew what to expect. He waved his wand at the door, opening it and whistling softly for Bast to go investigate and welcome the newcomer.
Laertes came back to campus a couple of days early so that he would have time to meet with his new supervising teacher. They had exchanged a few communications since his introduction, although they were focused on class issues. However Laertes knew it would be important for him to introduce himself before they appeared in the classroom. Unlike Headmaster Emrys, Laertes believed in advanced preparation. Even if he was only going to be in this position for another six months, he wanted a reasonable working relationship with his head teacher.
The door opened at his knock, but it was a cat at the door. He nodded greeting to the creature. Laertes did not speak cat, but knew that they did a lot with body language. He watched the cat for indication that he was invited in or what was intended.
Bast bumped lightly into Laertes’ legs with her head and walked back to Theo, leading the younger male over if he cared to follow. The approval was implied in the fact that the cat had not hissed at him, scratched him, or shown any other form of dismissal. Theo scratched the cat behind her ears and smiled at Laertes, connecting that logically this was his TA- a student wouldn't have bothered coming before the start of classes again. “Hello, Mr. Sinclair. Please, sit.” He motioned to a chair pleasantly.
Laertes understood enough cat to know he was being invited in and followed the animal into the room. "Thank you," he murmured to the creature before turning his focus onto the other man in the room. Dark hair, brilliant blue eyes. And intelligent enough to know who Laertes was prior to the introduction. "Professor," Laertes greeted him, taking the indicated seat. "You have settled in well then?"
Theo was pleased that the young man was polite to Bast. Some just ignored her and that was inexpressibly rude in his eyes. “I have, as well as can be expected. The new job is a bit of culture shock. Less running.” A small smirk, though a faint hint of sadness lingered in his eyes. The reasoning had not been pleasant. “It's been awhile since I've been here, but it hasn't changed much.”
It was something that Laertes took for granted - acknowledging animals. It came in large part because he spoke parseltongue and was used to conversing casually with snakes. He had done some research too on Emerson. The new teacher had been a cursebreaker, working primarily in Egypt for the last years. "There are still curses here, but many were accidentally cast by inexperienced students."
“I can't imagine they'll outdo some of the ones I've seen, unless there's some major miscasting?” Because the Egyptians had a lot of creativity when it came to their curses. He had loved the work though and the risks made it even more fun. “Tell me a little bit about yourself then. If we are working together I should probably know something.”
"I passed my NEWTs in June." Laertes started there, since it seemed a logical place. "Headmaster Emrys then offered me the TA position for the year. My sister is a seventh year, although she does not take Ancient Runes, so there is no conflict of interest. Languages has always been my thing," he shrugged. It was simply part of who he was. "I speak all of the romance languages plus Arabic, Hebrew, Greek and Russian." Laertes didn't mention the parseltongue yet. That tended to cause one of two reactions and he wasn't sure which to predict yet.
Theo listened, nodding at appropriate times. It was good to see someone motivated to start working right away- he had done so too even though he really had not had to do that. “You keep it much more modern than me then. My most modern language is Latin, outside of what I've had to learn to exist over in Egypt.” Though he was proud of his skill in that, it had often proven useful to him.
"Spanish and French and such are all based on Latin, so it was not difficult to branched out between them," Laertes shrugged. It hadn't been intentional, his apparent modern bias. It was just the languages he found himself exposed to most and therefore had gained experience in. Obviously though this man focused on the Ancient part of the Ancient Runes and languages, if his comment was any indicator.
Theo smiled. “I can't imagine they're much harder than Babylonian. I just never sat down to study them.” He probably could have at some point but it never struck him as the time. He had plenty of time now though he supposed. He could probably pick up something new. He looked over the younger blond and raised an eyebrow slightly. “I'll teach you one of my older ones if you teach me something new.” A glint of mischief in his eyes. He couldn't resist.
"I can read and translate the older languages," Laertes defended himself, since this man clearly thought he wasn't skilled enough in Ancient Languages. He needed references and sufficient time but he was perfectly capable. "I'm also a parseltongue." He threw out as a challenge. Surely the other man could not find deficit with that.
Theo blinked slightly. It was very rare that his flirtatious comments didn't get a response of some kind. Was the boy unaware of what he meant? He wasn't sure. “I wasn't entirely serious.” Because he didn't want to offend his TA and ruin the working relationship. The comment about parseltongue though brought a curious look though. “That's very rare… A valuable skill to have though. I imagine snakes are interesting to speak with. Sadly it's not a language I know…”
'It is not a language that can be taught," Laertes reminded him. It was a gift. Something to counteract his curse. Laertes needed to tell this man about that too. "There is something else you should know." For once, Laertes felt a little uncomfortable telling someone about his condition. It was perhaps because he normally shared that as almost his first thing. He reached into his robe pocket to touch his snake.
“I know. That's why I say sadly.” Because it wasn't something he was gifted with and it was unfortunate in his mind. It would have been interesting. He looked a bit confused by the slightly more serious tone in the segue and met Laertes’ eyes. “What is it?” Because hopefully it wasn't something that would make him regret deciding to take this job.
Laertes met the blue eyes with his own. "I am also a hemophiliac, which means I am prone to bleeds. There are days when walking is painful, or when my wrists are swollen such that writing is difficult. And in winter, the dry air makes me particularly prone to nosebleeds. It is alas not something that can be predicted much in advance. The previous professor would just have me inform him if I'd had a bad bleed as there were days I could not be present in class."
Theo frowned at the explanation. Not because it would throw anything off so much as it was unfortunate for the younger man. A slight nod and he absently stroked Bast’s fur, pondering his next words. “I imagine being informed is useful. I understand unpredictable, so that isn't that huge an issue. We can manage what we need to so that you won't have as much to look after if there's a problem.”
"It is largely that there are days when… I am in pain and less able to move easily." It was perhaps part of why he enjoyed quiet studies. His was clearly the opposite of a curse-breakers life. "Or when it would be better for me not to attend class… I can still handle things like grading homeworks and such even when I am suffering a bleed." He tried to reassure the other man he was not an invalid.
“That's not a worry, trust me. I think I move around enough for seven people. Maybe more.” It was true. Theo was a fan of being active. It was not something he would have given up easily. “Like I said, just keep me informed. I suppose too we should talk about your role in classes?” Because he wasn't sure what the former teacher had done with that, but he believed using the young man’s intelligence would be an appropriate choice.
"I primarily graded the homeworks," Laertes knew his role here had primarily been for reasons other than his teaching abilities. He had no such experience and after months here still had none. "And I was pursuing research questions in the library." That at least was a skill he knew he had from being a student.
“I think I'd like you to take more of an active role, if you're interested. I mean, there are more useful things you can do than just grading homework, if you've done and passed NEWTs.” Which Laertes had indicated that he had done. “Research questions are great, but they aren't everything. I'd like to have a balanced partnership. I imagine there are things you can offer the students that I can't just like there are things I can that you can't.”
Laertes wasn't completely sure he wanted a more active role. He wasn't the most patient and found many of the students unimpressive. He wasn't going to argue the point though, if Theo wanted to do less and put more on him. "As my condition allows." He'd had a bad month, and hoped that the worst was over for the time being, but was cautious none-the-less.
“I mean co-teaching. I'm not certain, but I imagine you're better on theory and I'm better in practicals of Runes.” It came with the application part of his job. “So if you're interested in contributing to my lessons and working with me, sort of on equal footing, you've been teaching as much as I have and so it can be something we work on?”
Laertes didn't completely understand what the other man meant, even when he explained it. That wasn't exactly true, but it didn't make sense to him. "I have not been gallivanting around as a cursebreaker no. You are right my experience is paper-based..." Theory was generally all he worked in, when he wasn't doing translational work.
“I wouldn't exactly call it gallivanting. Try taking a compliment though. You're going to be a lot better than me at theoretical analysis. I know that.” Because it was true. Theory wasn't a strong suit of his- applying what he knew was. He raised an eyebrow at Lae and motioned to a pile of scrolls. “I have a lot of things for translating if you're not interested in being in the classroom. I just felt like it could be nice to work as equals and not… Me as a supervisor telling you what to do, when and how.”
"A compliment?" Laertes had heard a subtle dig. The other boy had been complimenting him? "You are the professor though." It made him the supervisor by default, even if Laertes was the one who'd been here longer. "I can help you know what's been covered." He wouldn't let the other man look the fool.
“Yes. It was a comparison. You are better in theory. I am not as skilled in that area, typically, and so you would have a skill I lack.” Making it entirely clear what he had been trying to say this time might help. “I would be grateful for the help. I might be the professor but you've been more recently in the classroom and you worked with these kids. That means you have an advantage over me in this place.”
That made a little more sense. Laertes nodded his new understanding. The young professor was still clearly puffing - flattering Laertes to make a positive impression, but it was somewhat understandable. "It is part of my job to make your work easier," he acknowledged, trying to meet the other man part way on his proposal.
Theo smiled at the reaction. It was slightly improved based on his clarification and he was glad for that. “I think we should be able to work well together. If you’re interested, I can have an elf bring dinner here and we can work on lessons for the next week?” Because that seemed like a logical way to start their time together, and pleasant enough as well.
Laertes should have expected the other man to want to start immediately. It was why he had come back a couple of days early after all. "I will need to go to my room to get some things… the notes from what was last covered and such." He ought to pick up one of his potions if they were going to be working for a while.
“Make a list for Bast. She can go for you.” Because if the younger man occasionally had issues with movement he didn't want to be the cause of annoyance or discomfort. A small smile was offered - obviously the cat could not understand writing, but verbal description would be very understandable typically.
"Bast can read?" Laertes was used to intelligent animals, but that was not something he had come across before. Was Bast more than a cat? "Regardless, I have more than she can carry comfortably." With both the notes and his medication vials, even a very coordinated cat would struggle. And while Ophelia was occasionally successful tieing things to his snake, he was not going to be able to help. "Even if my snake helps."
“Takes instruction well if you tell her exactly what you need.” A small smile and he nodded at the next statement. “I'll walk over with you then. If it's more than Bast can carry you could probably use some help then.” Because there was no sense in the younger man having to carry too much when it would be easier for them both to work together.
"Would you rather relocate to my room then?" Laertes hadn't been planning on bringing everything, but if Theo wanted to come along when he hadn't been planning on getting everything, but perhaps it made sense since as the young professor had pointed out, Laertes had been the one in the class with these students for the last few months, and he might find something useful in Laertes's notebooks that he wasn't thinking about.
“We can do that, absolutely.” Theo nodded in response, then glanced at Bast. “She's good with other animals but if you don't want her along I can send her to go hunt…” Or something along that line. He didn't want to assume the cat was welcome in another room in the castle.
"Only if she wants to. I know my snake gets bored watching me work and would prefer to hunt." So Laertes understood if Bast had better things to do. But the implication was that it had been assumed she would come - and also that she was an independent being. "Although he is unlikely to this afternoon since he ate well while at home."
Theo smiled. It was obvious that he and Laertes could at least count that their treatment of their familiars was a common point. “If she gets bored she can wander off. It's probably best she knows how to find you too, I think.” Just for checking in purposes, especially if there was ever a risk of Lae not being in class.
Laertes was reasonably certain the cat would find her way easily enough, although it was a large castle and things were not always stationary within it. "My snake can tell her where to find the fat mice." Laertes offered as he rose. "What do you want to bring of yours?"
Theo rose to his feet and picked up a few books, showing them to the other. “Just these for now I think.” Because that seemed to be a start, he didn't expect to do every bit of planning. Just enough for the first week or so of having the kids back.
Laertes nodded again. "Do you want me to carry anything?" He asked the other man, and to Bast, "Do you prefer to walk or ride?" Cats could be particular about such things, and alternately independent and lazy.
Theo shook his head. “Unless you see any book that catches your eye before we head out.” Because Theo had no problem letting the other look at his books if something seemed interesting. Bast looked at Lae and blinked once before lightly bumping his leg, indicating that they should all walk.
Laertes would likely take his time looking over Theo's collection, but for now he just shook his head and took the cat's direction to lead the way to his room. He hadn't yet unpacked from the break, but even so his room was generally neat… except for the desk and the shelf above it which were both liberally covered in scrolls and books and such and revealed themselves as belonging to someone who really got into his work.
Theo followed along to the younger man’s room, looking around for a moment. It was neater than his for the most part, and his eyes lingered on the scrolls on the desk, intrigued, before he set his books down. “It would probably be best for me to start with your notes for the third years, since they’ll be the easiest I imagine.”
Laertes nodded, and moved to a far neater shelf and took a hard-bound notebook. "I can clear some of my research from my desk if you wish to work there, or we can sit on the couch and use the coffee table?" Laertes offered, putting his snake down and making a few sibilant sounds. "He is going to direct the house-elf here."
“The couch will be fine.” Because it would be a lot easier to not have to clean anything up before they started working. Theo didn't mind working on any flat surface he was offered and often didn't even need that much. Just a wall to lean against served him fine. He moved to the aforementioned couch and seated himself, opening one of the books he had brought with him and revealing what looked like the faded handwriting of a third year, overlaid with obviously more modern notes in a neater hand.
Laertes was just as glad not to have to rearrange his research papers on his desk. He would have had Theo preferred working at a desk, but was just as glad to use the sofa and leave his work piles piled as they were. He set the book in front of Theo, and moved to his bedside to pick up a vile, sipping it as he settled beside the other man on the couch. Putting it aside, he opened his own notes from the previous months to show the new professor what had been covered and how.
Theo opened his notebook - meticulous well dated and organized- to look and match up with what Laertes has written down. As he did so he started scribbling notes down. Some things he would not have done the same way but he knew that he would come across that. His personality was likely different from the other professor and most certainly from the man next to him- and part of him wondered if he could get the other to lighten up some. When the vial was set down he glanced over. A hint of mischief glinted in his eyes as he reached over, touching- and wiping- a stray bit of whatever was in it. “Sorry. Spilled a little, looks like…”
Laertes frowned, his own hand reaching to his mouth looking for the drop of what it was that Theo saw, his tongue appearing absently to lick the corners of his mouth. "Sorry," he apologized. He wasn't normally messy, but obviously having a new supervisor had him a little off.
Okay, this could be fun. Laertes seemed to be completely unaware when it came to flirtation. He'd never seen this degree of… Perhaps innocence? “It's nothing to apologize for. Happens to everyone, I imagine.” His eyes met Laertes’ and he smiled slightly. “You have very soft skin, you know…” More obvious this time. Trying for a reaction now.
Laertes was not expecting flirtation from the new young professor and so did not recognize it for what it was. He'd gone on dates with Slytherin girls before, but nothing serious. He'd always known he had duties and that his relationships had to be as political as they were romantic. "I have to take care of it… I cannot afford dry-skin cracks." His hemophilia had also ensured Laertes was simply more careful, period, and that tended to prevent things from going too far. Nevermind that he couldn't drink or do many of the 'normal' things young adults did.
Theo was intrigued by the naïveté of the young man by his side, and his fingers brushed against Lae’s cheek, thoughtful. “I wonder, are your lips as soft?” Murmured quietly, his fingers turning Laertes to look at him fully now. He leaned forward, just barely brushing against the other man’s lips. Tempting. Very very tempting.
Laertes had kissed before - but had not been kissed like that. It was unexpected from Theo, and unexpectedly gentle from the other man too. But the very unexpectedness of it all was shocking, which was more than a little disconcerting to Laertes. He was used to having control - to being in control… to being careful always. Theo clearly was not careful. "Excuse me," Laertes pulled back quickly, moving away from the other young man.
Theo was almost shocked at the reaction, but he nodded. It was worth a shot, after all, and if Laertes wasn't into it, he wouldn't push it. “No problem. I'm going to take these back to my room to look over.” He held up the book Laertes had given him, rising to his feet. “It's good to meet you.” Even with the failure. Laertes was intelligent and would be a good TA.
Laertes was almost as shocked that Theo left so abruptly. It confused him as much as the brief contact of lips had. But Laertes didn't argue and stood, following Theo to the door slowly, closing it behind him. Turning to his snake he asked him what had just happened, but the snake declined to answer him.